

Reporter
Luke Harold
Luke Harold covers local government in North County and topics including housing, homelessness, elections and courts. He has been a community reporter for The Orange County and for multiple news outlets in Los Angeles.
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The city of Del Mar’s motion to dismiss a court petition that would have cleared the way for a 259-unit residential development on the city’s northern bluff was approved by...

Del Mar volunteers celebrate two years of grassroots beach cleanup
A local beach cleanup in Del Mar celebrated its second anniversary on May 31 with a meetup that began at Powerhouse Park. “The plan was to start it on the...

Del Mar’s motion to dismiss Seaside Ridge petition argues court ‘does not have jurisdiction’
The city of Del Mar’s motion to dismiss a court petition that would allow the 259-unit Seaside Ridge project on the north bluff argues that San Diego County Superior Court...

Del Mar to revisit possible e-bike ordinance
Del Mar City Council will continue discussing potential city regulations for bicycles and e-bikes during their June 2 meeting. Council approved a first reading of an ordinance in...

Solana Beach approves second reading of sewer service charge increases
The Solana Beach City Council recently approved a second reading of an ordinance to increase the annual sewer service charge for 2026 through 2030. The council approved a first reading...

Del Mar council approves updates for SB 9 regulations
The Del Mar City Council approved an updated set of local regulations May 19 for how to incorporate SB 9, a state law that allows up to four residential units...

Del Mar council member receives cease and desist from city over communications to city staff
The city of Del Mar sent a cease and desist letter to Councilmember Dan Quirk over “harassing, derogatory, and otherwise inappropriate remarks” about the city manager and city staff. The...

Search warrant adds more details about alleged smuggling boat that capsized in Del Mar
Border Patrol issued a search warrant May 16 for multiple cell phones belonging to smugglers and migrants aboard the panga boat that capsized in Del Mar earlier this month, leaving...

Court to consider Del Mar’s motion to dismiss for Seaside Ridge petition
A property owner’s court petition to allow a proposed 259-unit Seaside Ridge project on Del Mar’s north bluff now faces a motion to dismiss by the city, which will be...

Lawsuit alleges negligence over Rancho Santa Fe pothole in single-vehicle motorcycle crash
A San Diego resident has filed a lawsuit against the county and San Dieguito Water District alleging he struck a pothole on El Montevideo in Rancho Santa Fe last summer...

Encinitas crime and public safety log, May 8-15
From crimemapping.com: May 13 Disorderly conduct – 0 block of Requeza Street, 11:14 a.m. May 12 Exhibit deadly weapon other than firearm – 1200 north block of Coast Highway 101,...

Fair board postpones next vote and discussion on affordable housing
The Del Mar Fairgrounds Board of Directors voted May 13 to postpone its regularly scheduled vote on whether to continue housing discussions with the city of Del Mar until its...

Solana Beach council approves sewer rate increases
The annual sewer service charge will increase 10% per year over the next two fiscal years in Solana Beach, following a City Council vote on May 7. Solana Beach is...

NCTD announces new deputy chief operations officer of bus service
North County Transit District hired Jeff Hiott as its deputy chief operations officer of bus service and security, the agency announced in a press release. Hiott began on April 14....

Pollinator garden coming to Solana Beach City Hall
A pollinator garden will be planted at Solana Beach City Hall in an effort to the local monarch butterfly population, following a May 7 vote by the City Council....

Encinitas crime and public safety log, May 2-9
From crimemapping.com: May 7 Vandalism – 1500 block of Windsor Road, 6:15 p.m. May 6 Obstruct/resist executive officer with minor injury – 500 block of Saxony Road, 2:04 a.m. Other...

Encinitas crime and public safety log, April 17 to May 2
From crimemapping.com: April 29 Assault with deadly weapon with force – 900 block of Neptune Avenue, 4:18 p.m. Petty theft – 100 west block of D Street, 12:28 a.m. April...

Solana Beach reviews draft city budgets with eye on local effect of Trump tariffs
Solana Beach City Council reviewed the draft budgets for the 2026 and 2027 fiscal years during their May 7 meeting, with some concern for how the Trump istration’s tariffs...

Solana Beach awards contract for ramps in Community Development Block Grant project
The Solana Beach City Council awarded a contract April 23 to Savi Construction to build six pedestrian ramps as part of the Community Development Block Grant process. Savi Construction’s $35,400...

Del Mar asks residents to fill out ADU survey
The city of Del Mar is asking residents to fill out a survey to gauge their interest in building accessory dwelling units for low-income tenants. The survey will be available...

Solana Beach sends letter of opposition to SB 79 housing bill
The city of Solana Beach sent a letter of opposition to state Sen. Scott Wiener over SB 79, a proposed bill that would allow four- to seven-story residential developments near...

Solana Beach City Council to review budgets for 2026 and 2027 fiscal years
The Solana Beach City Council will review the city’s proposed budget for the next two fiscal years at its May 5 meeting, providing to city staff before it comes...

Del Mar Measure Q Citizen Oversight Committee provides update to council
The Del Mar City Council received a brief update from the city’s Measure Q Citizen Advisory Committee, which monitors the revenue and expenditures from the Measure Q fund, during its...

Solana Beach City Council discusses 2025-26 draft workplan
Solana Beach City Council reviewed the city’s draft workplan during their April 23 meeting, which outlines many of the top projects and other priorities for the 2025-26 fiscal year....

Del Mar City Council receives 2024 public safety update
Del Mar City Council recently received an update on 2024 crime and public safety stats, which included a drop in property crime and an increase of deputies making ...

Encinitas crime and public safety log, April 17 to April 24
From crimemapping.com: April 22 Grand theft – 100 south block of El Camino Real, 6 p.m. April 19 Simple battery – 0 east block of D Street, 9:33 p.m. Commercial...

Sheriff asks for help looking for man who was reported missing in Encinitas
The North Coastal Sheriff’s Station is asking for the public’s help in locating a missing 76-year-old man who was last seen on April 23. Jaime Ponce, 76, had a medical...

Encinitas crime and public safety log, April 9-17
April 14 Assault with deadly weapon/not a firearm – 0 east block of D Street, 3:32 p.m. Assault with deadly weapon – 300 west block of D Street, 2:03 a.m....

Del Mar Fairgrounds, San Diego Humane Society prepare for ‘Pet-tacular’ fair with emphasis on adoptions
There will be enough visitors to the San Diego County Fair to empty the shelters at the San Diego Humane Society with adoptions throughout this year’s 2025 “Summer Pet-Tacular”-themed event....

CEA announces launch of PeakSmart Saver program
The Clean Energy Alliance announced the launch of a PeakSmart Savers program that allows residential customers to save 30% on their electricity rates by reducing their usage during “event days”...

Solana Beach sets June 18 date for EDCO rate increase public vote
The Solana Beach City Council has set a June 18 date for a solid waste rate review public hearing protest vote, following a request by EDCO to raise rates. The...

Emilio Nares Foundation launches $350K fundraising goal to help children with cancer and their families
With a goal of $350,000, the nonprofit Emilio Nares Foundation has about another month left in its annual Ride With Us fundraising campaign, which helps the organization provide services to...

Solana Beach confirms senior units at Solana Highlands will be low-income
Following some confusion between Solana Beach City Council and city staff, the city attorney confirmed that the senior housing units that will be built for the new Solana Highlands...

Del Mar City Council approves Coastal Commission modifications to Central Commercial, Public Facilities zones
The Del Mar City Council approved several modifications requested by the California Coastal Commission April 7 to finalize recent zoning changes that are part of the city’s housing element. The...

Del Mar City Council reviews midyear financial report
Revenues for the 2023-24 fiscal year in Del Mar were about $1.78 million more than expected and operating expenditures were about $160,000 under budget, according to a financial report given...

Housing bills looking to achieve ‘functional zero’ in unsheltered homelessness
State Sens. Catherine Blakespear and Josh Becker spoke in Sacramento on April 7 in of bills they introduced aimed at boosting interim housing production to reach “functional zero” in...

Del Mar City Council approves ordinance to regulate e-bikes, bicycles
Del Mar City Council gave their initial approval April 7 for an ordinance to regulate bicycles on city streets, spurred by the increased popularity of e-bikes, although they asked...

Del Mar beachgoers report seeing marine life affected by toxic algae
With a recent bloom of toxic algae, beachgoers in coastal North County have been seeing dead or sick sea lions, dolphins and other marine life washed ashore over the last...

CEA provides net metering update, enrollment stats
The Clean Energy Alliance enrolled approximately 1,800 Net Energy Metering customers over the last year, the agency announced during its March 27 meeting. Net Energy Metering is a process that...

With housing policy at the forefront, Solana Beach reviews legislative priorities
Solana Beach City Council reviewed their legislative priorities, with a focus on multiple bills that have been introduced by state lawmakers aimed at addressing the housing crisis. The...

Solana Beach to consider EDCO rate increases
The Solana Beach City Council will decide April 9 on whether to proceed with Proposition 218 noticing and voting requirements for a proposed solid waste rate increase scheduled for July...

EndurANT Movement hosts kickoff event to help those navigating grief and other challenges
More than 200 attendees in person and online showed up March 24 for the launch of the EndurANT Movement, founded by Encinitas residents Neal and Samara Tricarico one year after...

Encinitas crime and public safety log, March 14-28
from crimemapping.com: March 25 Residential burglary – 1100 block of Sycamore View Drive, 1 p.m. March 24 Threaten crime with intent to terrorize – 600 block of Cerro Street, 11:33...

Former Del Mar lifeguard sues city for rejecting his Covid-19 vaccine exemption
A former Del Mar lifeguard filed a lawsuit against the city alleging he was discriminated against during the Covid-19 pandemic when the city imposed a vaccine mandate and then denied...

Solana Beach City Council approves budget updates
The Solana Beach City Council approved a series of budget updates for the 2025 fiscal year during its March 26 meeting, including $937,091 in additional general fund revenue and $607,127...

Solana Beach City Council receives update on RHNA progress
Solana Beach has issued permits for 178 out of 875 housing units that the city needs to accommodate as part of the state’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation process, but none...

Blue Water Film Festival returns to North County for sixth year
In 2024, Del Mar filmmaker Alex Rivest screened his documentary “Canary,” about a scientist who studies glaciers to better understand climate change, at the Blue Water Film Festival “When the...

Encinitas crime and public safety log, March 14-21
March 19 Disorderly conduct – 200 north block of El Camino Real, 4:54 p.m. March 18 Battery on person – 500 south block of Coast Highway 101, 1 a.m. Residential...

A small city in L.A. ended its legal challenge of a mixed-use development, as Del Mar faces a similar conflict with Seaside Ridge
The applicant behind the proposed 259-unit Seaside Ridge project in Del Mar is urging the city to “put down its sword” in their more than two-year standoff after a small...

Encinitas crime and public safety log, March 1-7
From crimemapping.com: March 5 Petty theft – 1000 north block of El Camino Real, 6:56 p.m. Vehicle break-in – 700 block of Garden View Court, 2:20 p.m. March 4 Battery...

Encinitas crime and public safety log, Feb. 21-28
Feb. 26 Use/under influence of controlled substances – 600 block of Leucadia Boulevard, 10:39 a.m. Feb. 25 Use/under influence of controlled substances – 200 north block of El Camino Real,...

Del Mar sets utility undergrounding deadlines for Stratford Court South property owners
Del Mar City Council voted March 3 to approve deadlines for Stratford Court South property owners to be prepared to receive utility undergrounding service. The residents along Stratford Court...

State Senate rail subcommittee to continue meeting as rail relocation in Del Mar moves forward
A transportation subcommittee tasked with evaluating the 351-mile rail line from San Diego to San Luis Obispo has been reauthorized by the California state Senate. The committee, led by Sen....

Del Mar City Council to begin process of pursuing loan for undergrounding
Del Mar City Council voted March 3 to begin pursuing a $17 million loan over a 10- year borrowing term through IBank to continue with utility undergrounding, but a final...

Clean Energy Alliance provides mid-year budget update, enrollment numbers
Through the midway point of the fiscal year, the Clean Energy Alliance’s revenues were $8.1 million higher than budgeted and expenses were about $6.7 million below budget, according to a...

Del Mar sends letter to SANDAG ahead of rail relocation meeting
The city of Del Mar submitted a letter to the San Diego Association of Governments ahead of the regional planning agency’s Feb. 28 meeting on rail realignment options. The letter,...

Solana Beach City Council receives rail relocation update ahead of SANDAG meeting
The Solana Beach City Council received a briefing about the rail relocation project Feb. 26, ahead of a highly anticipated San Diego Association of Governments meeting that will include consideration...

Sheriff seeks public help in hit and run investigation after identifying car make and model
The vehicle involved in fatal hit-and-run collision in Encinitas last month was a gray Audi Q3, the San Diego County Sheriff announced Feb. 26 in a news release. The North...

SANDAG discusses rail options at Torrey Pines Community Planning Group meeting
The Torrey Pines Community Planning Group hosted a presentation by the San Diego Association of Governments Feb. 20 about the newly released value analysis study with an expanded set of...

Del Mar Fire Department gives presentation to City Council following L.A. fires
Del Mar’s fire department gave a brief presentation Feb. 18 about wildfire preparedness, following the recent wildfires in Los Angeles that have renewed concerns from San Diego residents about what...

SANDAG discusses updated rail realignment options at Del Mar City Council
The Del Mar City Council hosted a presentation by the San Diego Association of Governments Feb. 19 to review a study with newly released options for moving the train tracks...

Del Mar receives inquiry from DA’s Public Integrity Unit about vacant City Council seat
Del Mar City Attorney Leslie Devaney said Feb. 18 that the city received an inquiry from the district attorney’s office about last year’s council decision to leave its fifth seat...

Solana Beach City Council reviews La Colonia Master Plan options
Solana Beach City Council reviewed two alternatives that have been developed by a city contractor for upgrades at La Colonia Park, with residents also asking them to communicate with...

Casa Coders celebrate early success with Del Sol Lions Club
The Casa Coders, a robotics team of local students, received a $1,000 check from the Del Sol Lions Club Feb. 13 at Solana Beach Presbyterian Church. It was also a...

Encinitas crime and public safety log, Jan. 31 to Feb. 7
Feb. 4 Fraud – 200 block Sharp Place, 2:12 p.m. Petty theft – 1000 north block of El Camino Real, 2:10 p.m. Feb. 3 Grand theft – 1000 north block...

Del Mar Fairgrounds suspends affordable housing discussions with city for 30 days
For the second time in the last year, board at the Del Mar Fairgrounds suspended discussions with the city of Del Mar on a proposed affordable housing project on...

2025 San Diego County Fair isn’t just about the concerts and fried foods. It’s about the community.
'Our fair is more than the performances, food and fun that you’re not going to find anywhere else. The San Diego County Fair is about the people,' said Carlene Moore,...

SANDAG to brief Torrey Pines Community Planning Board on rail relocation value analysis
The San Diego Association of Governments will present a “value analysis update” about the rail realignment project and 16 possible alignments to the Torrey Pines Community Planning Board during a...

CEA elects new board chair, vice chair for 2025
Vista City Councilmember Katie Melendez will serve as chair of the Clean Energy Alliance Board of Directors, following a vote by the CEA board at its Jan. 30 meeting. “I...

Del Mar to review financing options as utility undergrounding continues
The Del Mar City Council decided Feb. 3 to paused the next phase of utility undergrounding in the Stratford Court North area while the city examines how to pay for...

Carmel Valley attorney launches law firm with family
Carmel Valley attorney Frederick Schenk, who also serves as president of the Del Mar Fairgrounds Board of Directors, has launched The Schenk Law Firm with his sister, former U.S. Rep....

Del Mar City Council reaffirms 2024 special counsel report that led to Quirk censure
With Del Mar City Councilmember Dan Quirk and Mayor Terry Gaasterland walking out in protest, the Del Mar City Council voted Feb. 3 to “reaffirm” a 2024 special counsel report...

Solana Beach Fire Department chief provides annual update
Solana Beach Fire Chief Josh Gordon provided an annual update Jan. 29 to the City Council on training, response times and other metrics that show how the department performed over...

NCTD board elects new board chair, vice chair
Carlsbad Mayor Pro Tem Priya Bhat-Patel is the new board chair of the North County Transit District, following a vote by board . San Marcos Deputy Mayor Mike Sannella is...

Solana Beach receives annual financial report
The Solana Beach City Council received its Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, including an update on unfunded pension liabilities, during its Jan. 29 meeting. The annual report is a requirement for...

Del Mar to consider retail pet ordinance after city staff declined to certify petition
Del Mar City Council left open the possibility of pursuing an ordinance to more strictly regulate retail animal sales during their Jan. 21 meeting, following a petition the city...

Del Mar City Council appoints John Fry to Finance Committee
The Del Mar City Council appointed John Fry to the Finance Committee, filling a vacancy left last July when Laura Pierce’s term expired. The committee holds regularly scheduled quarterly meetings,...

Solana Beach City Council approves notice of completion for La Colonia tot lot
The Solana Beach City Council approved a notice of completion Jan. 15 for the La Colonia Tot Lot Replacement Project. The total cost for construction was $1.39 million, according to...

Solana Beach climate commission gets name change
The Solana Beach Climate Action Commission will now be known as the Climate and Resiliency Commission, following a Jan. 15 vote by the Solana Beach City Council. The commission, which...

Additional parking spots available in Del Mar at St. Peter’s
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church will open more than 30 parking spots to Del Mar’s downtown visitors at its 15th Street and Maiden Lane lot, the city announced. The spaces are...

Pet sales petition will not be certified in Del Mar because of residency requirement
A petition for a stricter ban on retail pet sales has been rejected by the city of Del Mar because the proponent is not a resident of the city, according...

Fair board gives update on 2024 Fair for All program results
Nearly 20,000 tickets to the 2024 San Diego County Fair were donated to more than 100 organizations through the 22nd District Agricultural Association’s Fair for All program. The 22nd DAA,...

Del Mar resident Meghan Spieker appointed to Planning Commission
Del Mar resident Meghan Spieker has been appointed to the city’s Planning Commission to fill the seat vacated by John Spelich, who was elected to the City Council in the...

Solana Beach Mayor Lesa Heebner elected SANDAG chair
Solana Beach Mayor Lesa Heebner will serve as the new chair of the San Diego Association of Governments for the next two years, following a board of directors vote on...

Del Mar’s Marty Cooper who invented the cell phone receives National Medal of Tech and Innovation
Del Mar resident Marty Cooper, inventor of the cell phone, received the National Medal of Technology and Innovation during a White House ceremony on Jan. 3. Cooper was one of...

Una audiencia para determinar el destino de una propuesta de 259 unidades de vivienda en Del Mar se ha pospuesto hasta junio
La ciudad y el solicitante también están a la espera de ver cómo fallará la Corte de Apelaciones

Del Mar postpones decision on animal sales petition to see if petitioner needs to be a resident
The Del Mar City Council has postponed a decision on a potential new law regulating retail animal sales within the city until Jan. 25 to give city staff time to...

State housing agency says Del Mar still must upzone bluffside properties if fairgrounds plan fails
The city of Del Mar remains obligated to upzone two bluffside properties if a proposed 61-unit affordable housing project at the Del Mar Fairgrounds falls through, state regulators told the...

A hearing to determine the fate of a 259-unit housing proposal in Del Mar has been postponed to June
A hearing to determine whether the 259-unit Seaside Ridge project can be built in Del Mar has been pushed back to June, while the city and developer are still waiting...

Del Mar to consider petition on stricter regulations for retail animal sales
Del Mar City Council will decide what to do with a petition that calls for the city to expand local laws pertaining to selling animals that aren’t from an animal...

Encinitas crime and public safety log, Dec. 20 to Jan. 2
From crimemapping.com: Dec. 29 Simple battery – 2300 block of Carol View Drive, 12:42 a.m. Dec. 27 Take vehicle without owner’s consent – 300 west block of I Street, 6...

Four scouts in Encinitas Troop 777 earn Eagle rank
Scout Troop 777 in Encinitas has four new Eagle Scouts, the organization announced in a news release. The scouts and their projects were: Niklas Jones, who helped improve storage for...

Ciclista hospitalizado con heridas potencialmente mortales en una colisión en Encinitas
La causa aún está bajo investigación, pero no se cree que las drogas ni el alcohol hayan sido factores.

Bicyclist hospitalized with life-threatening injuries in Encinitas collision
A 45-year-old bicyclist was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries after a Jan. 1 collision with the driver of a Hyundai Elantra on Encinitas Boulevard, the Sheriff’s Office announced...

All Girls STEM Society holds holiday-themed workshop
The nonprofit, student-run All Girls STEM Society hosted a holiday-themed workshop for girls in grades 3-8 at College-Rolando Branch Library on Dec. 14, where attendees learned about the chemical process...

Blakespear holds end-of-life to discuss possible expansion of options for terminally ill patients
After introducing a bill to expand the End of Life Options Act in California, state Sen. Catherine Blakespear hosted a discussion about end-of life options Dec. 4 at MiraCosta...

Clean Energy Alliance seeking applicants for Citizens Advisory Committee openings
The Clean Energy Alliance is taking applications for its Community Advisory Committee through Dec. 21, the agency announced in a news release. There is one opening for each of the...

Del Mar honors outgoing Councilmember Dave Druker amid annual reorganization
Terry Gaasterland will serve as Del Mar mayor over the next year and Tracy Martinez will be deputy mayor, following the annual City Council reorganization Dec. 9, where they also...

Del Mar, Solana Beach reiterate rail relocation concerns in public comments to SANDAG
Solana Beach and Del Mar reiterated their rail realignment concerns as part of more than 2,100 pages of public comment submitted to the San Diego Association of Governments, which is...

Solana Beach to vote on approvals for new Marine Safety Center
The Solana Beach City Council will vote Dec. 11 on approvals to continue planning and construction of a new Marine Safety Center in the same South Sierra Avenue location as...